Tag Archives: Michigan: Crisp Point Lighthouse

Crisp Point Lighthouse Lady Aurora’s Keeper’s Dance

Year 10,

Molly and I are camped out on a remote Lake Superior wilderness shoreline … about 20 miles by water from Whitefish Point and 18 miles by a small dirt road to the nearest pavement. The Northern Lights were not forecast to shine last night, but Lady Aurora decided she wanted to dance in honor of our 10th season serving as Crisp Point Lighthouse Keepers. This gig does not come with a keeper’s residence. Our home is a 3 person pup pitched 20 yards from the big lake.

At 10:00 pm while getting ready to hunker down into my sleeping bag, I decided to take a quick peek through the tent’s window out over the lake … green glow! I put on my warm clothes to keep me warm against the 23 mph winds and 50F temperature and ventured forth into the night. By 10:30 pm (sunset was at 8:00 pm) Lady Aurora decided to dance … a sub storm!!! Here was her performance.

10 Minutes before Sunset … the same night (perspective … west of lighthouse)

10 Minutes after Sunset … the same night (perspective … east of lighthouse)

Crisp Point Lighthouse Bound!

Year 10

Guess where Molly and I are headed?! It will be our tenth year serving as lighthouse keepers at this remote outpost on the wilderness shores of Lake Superior. One drives a 20 mile long dirt road to reach the light, and that is only after another 20 miles driven along a smaller paved road. The lighthouse is 1 hour and 20 minutes to the nearest town of Newberry, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. I guess we will not go out for pizza! Round trip to any services is 2 hours and 40 minutes. We pack in everything needed and stay the duration.

Only the keepers are allowed to camp at the lighthouse. There is no keeper’s residence. Here is me next to a campfire from a few years back with the lighthouse in the background. We will be at Crisp Point during a low light period (not quite new moon). I am hoping Lady Aurora decides to dance!

Home from Crisp Point Lighthouse

Year 9

Molly’s and my eight season as keepers at Crisp Point Lighthouse is now completed and in the records books. As always we had a fantastic time, and for the second year in a row our dear friends Jom & Beth joined us as keepers. This foursome will definitely be back next year! If you are on Facebook, consider joining their group … eyecandy! (Crisp Point Lighthouse Facebook Group)

Here are some images from this year’s stay …

Sunrises

Shorebirds

Semipalmated Plovers

Sanderlings … in winter plumage

Sunsets